William Edward Taylor Jr., also known as Billy Taylor, was born on July 24, 1921, in Greenville, North Carolina, and was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster, and educator. He began playing piano at a young age and made his professional debut at 13. In the mid-1940s, he moved to New York City, where he played with Ben Webster's Quartet and Art Tatum. His career took off in 1952 when he composed "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free", which gained popularity during the civil rights movement. He released numerous albums, including Cross Section (1956) and Homage (1995). He continued performing despite health challenges until his death from a heart attack on December 28, 2010, in New York City.
